Italy opened the door to the possible incorporation of Germany into the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the joint project that Rome is promoting together with the United Kingdom and Japan to develop a sixth-generation fighter by 2035. The initiative comes at a time marked by growing tensions between Berlin and Paris regarding the parallel European program, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
During a parliamentary hearing, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto stated that several countries have shown interest in joining GCAP. “Germany could probably join this project in the future,” he said. He also noted that there are inquiries from Australia, Saudi Arabia and Canada.
GCAP is led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, BAE Systems in the United Kingdom and Leonardo in Italy. The plan involves developing a stealth fighter that will operate together with drones and collaborative combat systems. Crosetto emphasized that the three founding nations agreed on equal-level cooperation. “The more countries that join, the larger the critical mass we can invest in, the more intellectual capacity we can bring together, the greater the economic return and the less it will cost us,” the minister said.
A context marked by the Franco-German dispute in FCAS
Italy’s interest in bringing in new partners arises in parallel with the tensions affecting FCAS, the European project launched in 2017 and valued at 100 billion euros. The program, led by France, Germany and Spain with participation from Dassault Aviation, Airbus Defence & Space and Indra, aims to replace the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon around 2040.
However, differences between Paris and Berlin have intensified. According to sources close to the negotiations, the German Ministry of Defence recently examined possible alternatives with Airbus due to the lack of progress. Points of friction include the distribution of work and technological leadership within the Next-Generation Weapon System (NGWS), which encompasses the future manned fighter New Generation Fighter (NGF) and several associated systems.
German lawmaker Andreas Schwarz warned in statements to Politico: “At some point the [German] Parliament will have to say: ‘Either we need this aircraft or we don’t need it,’” highlighting the delays and risks facing the project.
Options Germany is assessing
In this scenario, Germany is considering different courses of action. These include strengthening collaboration with Spain, adding Sweden through Saab, or exploring convergence with the United Kingdom, the leader of GCAP. This last alternative raises doubts due to a potential conflict of interest, since BAE Systems heads the development of the Tempest fighter within the same program.
Sweden appears as a technically viable option given Saab’s role in designing the Gripen and its experience in avionics, sensors and lightweight structures.
The debate was also addressed at the political level. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in Madrid, alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: “We share the assessment that the current situation is unsatisfactory. We are not making progress with this project. Both of us spoke with the French government and we want a solution as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said: “The distribution of burdens and work in this armament project must be carried out in accordance with the contract,” noting that there is coordination with Madrid.
While tensions within FCAS remain unresolved, Italy maintains that new additions to GCAP could improve the program’s industrial, technological and financial viability. Crosetto’s remarks suggest that Rome aims to position itself as an actor capable of attracting partners in a strategic segment for European and Indo-Pacific defence. If Germany reconsiders its role in FCAS, its potential approach to GCAP would shift the balance of power in both projects and in the future combat air architecture of the continent.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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